Study for planning the use of Yoriihama area on
the Niigata seacoast (west coast area)[Abstract]
This study aimed at developing plans for using the Yoriihama area on the Niigata seacoast(west coast area) prior to facilities improvement as new administrative measures are now being
taken on seacoasts, and beaches are being developed in suburban areas. In the process, a
consensus of more local residents

Kin-eicho coast

Yo r i i h a ma c o a s t ( s t u d y a r e a )We s t c o a s t

will be sought to develop beaches
in suburban areas. This study wasconducted based on the results of
the "basic study for planning theuseofYoriihama

area

on

theNiigata seacoast (west coast area)
conducted in fiscal 2004.
In this study, a "draft Yoriihama
seacoast

use

plan"

developed

based

Yoriihama

useon

plan

wasfirst

the"draft

Figure 1 Present conditions of study area

《 Yoriihama coast use plan (provisional policy) 》(provisionalpolicy)" (Figure 2) prepared as a

Theme: Beautiful "seacoast for relaxation" with
cultural flavor

result of a fiscal 2004 study whilebuilding

a consensus

withlocalresidents. Then, for developing and

Goal: Stretches of white sand beaches with nothing in sight(beautiful beaches with white sand and green pine trees
close to a primitive image)-Temporary teahouses used to be reservedly located on the beach

implementing plans for facilities
improvement in the Yoriihama area,

during the summer bathing season.
-An image like the "sunset on the Yoriihama beach", one of theeight beauty spots selected in the late 1920s.

sessions were held for exchanging
Goal: Coast where people can stay calm and feel relaxedviewsandquestionnaire

surveyswere conducted. The goal was to-Groins or other structures fit into the landscape.
-"Sea" and "sunset" themselves form the landscape.
-People can enjoy reading on a deck chair on the beach.

build residents’ organizations basedon

theconsensus

public involvement.

builtthrough

Goal: Space for tour incorporating the Nishikaigan Park withpine trees that developed a culture-The beach blends into attractive cities on the Niigatajima Island.
Figure 2 Provisional policies for using the Yoriihama coast (developed as aresult of a fiscal 2004 study)

11Study details＜ 1＞ Identification of site conditions＜ 2＞ Holding of Yoriihama coast use plan review meetings and plan review＜ 3 ＞ Consensus building through public involvement and the building of a residents'organization

2Study method＜ 1＞ Literature search
In order to grasp the present conditions of the study area, literature was searched and local
residents and other stakeholders were interviewed to identify the topographic features of theYoriihama area and the relationship of the area with the hinterland, to analyze the results ofevaluation of the landscape of the Yoriihama coast made when the beach was selected as one of
the eight beauty spots of Niigata, and to understand the present use of the beach as comparedwith other beaches in the vicinity. Then, considerations were identified for improving thefacilities later.

＜ 2＞ Holding of Yoriihama coast use plan review meetings
Review meetings were held to discuss the direction of use of the Yoriihama coast based on its
history, climate, and relationship with local residents. The meetings were attended by therepresentatives of the local community, experts and administrators. In the first and second
meetings held in fiscal 2004, a Yoriihama coast use plan (provisional policy) was developed.
Based on the policy, the third meeting was held on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 to review a draft
Yoriihama coast use plan.

＜ 3＞ Open house
An open house was held at the Yorii Community House on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 for theresidents living in and around the Yoriihama coast in order to build a consensus with theresidents concerning the hinterland coastal improvement. On exhibit were the history, nature,
culture and improvement plans for the Yoriihama and adjacent coasts. Visitors were requested torespond to a questionnaire and were interviewed. The questions were related to the present useof the coast and the desirable coast.

2

＜ 4＞ Sessions for exchanging views
Views were exchanged at a multi-purpose hall of the Yorii Community House three times. In
the first session on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 views were invited from local residents on the draft
Yoriihama coast use plan to be discussed at the third review meeting. The second session washeld on Friday, November 18 under the theme, "Thinking about the future of Yoriihama".
Associate Professor Atsuyuki Okazaki of the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture,
Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University gave a lecture. Then, Mr. Okazaki, Mr. Akira Ito,Director-General, Niigata Port and Airport Construction Office, Mr. Noboru Toishi, Chairperson,
Association for the Promotion of the Niigata School Zone and Ms. Ayako Yoshida, Chairperson,
Association for the Women of Niigata School Zone had talks and exchanged views with theparticipants. These efforts were made to increase public awareness of the Yoriihama coast, andan organizational setup was established for active public involvement in future facilities
improvement and plan development.

＜ 5＞ Interviews
Local residents and experts were interviewed concerning the history and environment of theYoriihama coast.

3Study results

3-1

Identification of site conditions

The characteristics of the Yoriihama coast and surrounding space were organized andconsiderations during future facilities improvement were listed in Table 1. The table shows that
the Yoriihama coast has no sand beaches and little waterfront space at present althoughsufficient resources are available in the vicinity and in the hinterland and the evening landscapehas been appreciated over a long period of time, and that the dense forest of pine trees in thehinterland obstructs view although the forest is not necessarily unacceptable. These points
should be taken into consideration at the time of facilities improvement in the future.

3Table 1

Identification of site conditions

Item

Characteristics of space

Topographic
relationshipbetween theYoriihama
coast andhinterland-The Yoriihama coast with the Nishikaigan (westcoast) park in the hinterland has the densest forestof pine trees among the coasts along the Sea ofJapan.
-The difference in elevation between the coast andhinterland is greatest here among the coasts along
the Sea of Japan.
-The line of sight is nearly intercepted between thehinterland and the coastal area.
-The passage between the urban area and the seacoast
is not aligned with the approach to the coast.

Landscapeson theYoriihama
coast
selected as
one of theeight beauty
spots ofNiigata-"Yoriihama" was first mentioned in the late 1920s in
relation to the landscapes on the coast as one of theeight most beautiful spots of Niigata.
-It is not some time ago that the coastal area wasregarded as a place for living.
-The sun setting in Sado seen from the Yoriihama
coast has long been appreciated as an outstanding
landscape on Yoriihama.

-Theevening
landscapeatYoriihama has been appreciatedby people throughout the ages. Itshould be protected as one of thelandscapes envisaged in the
coastal use plan.
-New landscapes should be foundand developed that incorporate
the hinterland.

Use of theYoriihama
coast ascomparedwith othercoasts in thevicinity-The Yoriihama coast is not used at present because
no space is available to encourage use unlike othercoasts in the vicinity owing to the lack of beaches.
-On the Niigata-nishi coast (Hiy oriy amahama), theYumekaigan (dream coast) festival and other events
including beach sports are held. On the Kin-eichocoast (Sekiy ahama), people enjoy bathing and clean
the beach.

-On the Yoriihama coast, planningshould be developed not only for
improvement but also for use byusing the historic resources witha view to securing the passage
between the coast and hinterland
and using viewing facilities.

3-2

Considerations in facilities
improvement-An adequate plan is required for
ensuring the visual link andpassage between the coast andhinterland.

Review of draft Yoriihama coast use plan

(1) Draft Yoriihama coast use plan and an image of use
The draft Yoriihama coast use plan was discussed at the third Yoriihama coast use plan review
meeting based on the provisional policy for using the Yoriihama coast developed as a result of a
fiscal 2004 study.
In the draft use plan, static use of Yoriihama for such purposes as viewing and obtaining
experience was recommended. The relationship between the draft plan and an image of use isgiven in Figure 3.

4

(2) Image of space on the Yoriihama coastA draft landscape development policy was developed from a viewpoint of topography, passage
and visibility based on the conditions of the site, draft Yoriihama coast use plan and an image ofuse. A draft image of space on the Yoriihama coast based on the landscape development policy isshown in Figure 4.
The third Yoriihama coast use plan review meeting provided suggestions about the transition
from the sand beach to revetment and the formation of the pine forest in the space. As a result, amore specific image of space was created.

《 Draft Yoriihama coast use plan 》【 Theme 】

Beautiful
Beautiful"seacoastfor"seacoast forrelaxation"relaxation"withculturalwith cultural
flavorflavorFigure 3【 Goals of use 】
Stretchesof of
white
Stretcheswhitesand sandbeacheswith
withnothing
inbeachesnothingin sight
sight (beautiful
beaches(beautiful
beaches withwhitewith and
white
sand
and
green
sand
green
pine
trees
close
pine
trees close
to atoa primitiveimage)
Coastwhere
wherepeople
canCoast
peoplecan stay
stay andcalmfeel
andrelaxed
feel relaxedcalm【 Images of use 】-Enjoying waves-Bathing in the sea-Setting off or viewing fireworks-Viewing sunset and landscapeswith white sand and green pines-Strolling and jogging-Reading-Sketching and photographing-Resting and napping

Space for tourfor
tourSpaceincorporating
incorporating
thethe Nishikaigan Park
Nishikaigan Park

-Viewing coastal landscapes fromhigh above-Viewing coastal landscapes fromthe Nishikaigan (west coast) park
-Strolling and jogging in theNishikaigan park Enjoying coastal
landscapes

Draft Yoriihama seacoast use plan and an image of use5

【 Viewpoint 】【 Objectives of landscapedevelopment (plan) 】【 Image of space (plan) 】
Sand beach
Wide sand beach extending from the west
coast that is currently being nourished.
Sand beach extending gently from a middlelevel revetment in the hinterland

Topography

To restore the sanddune along the coast

Pine trees
Pine trees along the coastal road continuingfrom the Nishikaigan ParkThe pine trees on the coast will be thinned
to provide the line of sight to the sea.

Passage

Shrubs (Elaeagnus umbellata) and grass(Elymus mollis and Hibiscus hamabo) will
be planted in layers in front of the pine

To highlight the passage
to the coastal area andprovide a link with thehinterland

Fills will be constructed for protection fromshifting sand.
Sand-arresting barriers and marsh-reedscreens will be installed for protection fromshifting sand.
Approach from the hinterland
A major passage will be provided between
the built-up area and the coast.

Visibility

To discover a coastal
view in harmony withthehinterland,and
former viewpoints

A line of sight will be secured between theroads and garden paths in the hinterland andthe coast by providing an approach
Routes will be secured from the roads andgarden paths in the hinterland to the coast in
the northwest and west directions, or atright angles to the coastline.
Former venerable viewpoints such as Donyama , a dune, and Dopperi-zaka, a slope,will be restored.

※ The images encircled by double lines have been listed anew
as a result of discussions at the review meeting.

Figure 4 Landscape development policies and an image of space

6

3-3

Building of residents' organizations based on a consensus(1) Residents' consensus building measures
In order to build a consensus among the local residents on the Yoriihama coast concerning
coastal improvement, open house, sessions for exchanging views and interviews were held. The
measures are listed in Table 2.

(2) Future direction of coastal improvement and building of residents' organizations
The direction of coastal use that was identified based on the views of local residents obtained
through the consensus building measures (A through H in Table 2) is shown in Table 3.
In the interviews with visitors to open house (A), memories of experience on Yoriihama or pastuse of the coast were described. Few comments were obtained on coastal improvement. The
presentations by elementary and junior high school teachers (D) focused on the past and present
use of the coast. They requested safety of children in relation to coastal improvement but did
not refer to any specific improvement work. Open house and presentations are expected toenhance the awareness among local residents and teachers about the use and improvement of theYoriihama coast.
In the sessions for exchanging views (C, E and F), numerous views were presented on themethods of coastal improvement. This is attributable to the enhancement of public awareness ofYoriihama through open house and questionnaire surveys.
As a result, suggestions were made that a residents' organization and the "Yoriihama
restoration council" should be established toward the end of discussions at the second session.
Then, the third session was held by the "Niigata School District Promotion Organization" and"Niigata School District Women's Association", both of which are residents' organizations.

(3) Future tasks
A Yoriihama coast use plan review meeting was held and a "draft Yoriihama coast use plan"
was developed in the first half of this fiscal year. Then, various opinions were collected fromthe local residents. The first task in the future is to reflect the opinions in the draft Yoriihama
coast use plan, and develop a Yoriihama coast use plan incorporating the opinions.
The second task is to form a residents' organization in relation to the use and improvement of
the Yoriihama coast. Public opinions were collected in various ways in fiscal 2004 through 2005.
Middle-aged community association’s officials and school teachers were involved in thecampaign. In the future, more residents at wider varieties of levels should be encouraged toparticipate in the movement. It is hoped that a residents' organization will be established as a7

core of the movement and that the organization will work jointly with the administrators andexperts to promote satohama zukuri (creation of a seacoast providing a link with people) and toenhance the Yoriihama coast.
The third task is to carry out various activities on the Yoriihama coast using the residents'organization as a core and have more people in the region participate in the activities toimplement satohama zukuri.

Table 2 Measures for residents' consensus building

Date（1）Open house

A. Interview with visitors
B. Questionnaire survey
C. Exchange of views with residents
D. Presentations by elementary andjunior high school teachers

Aug. 2, 2005
First session（ 2 ） Session for
Second session
exchangingviews
Third session（3）Interview

Measures taken

Aug. 2, 2005
Nov. 18, 2005

Mar. 9, 2006
Oct. 2005 through Mar. 2006

8

E. Exchange of views with residents
F. Exchange of views with residents
G. Questionnaire survey
H. Interviews

Table 3 Future direction of coastal use identified based on public opinions

ItemDirection of coastal use
The Yoriihama coast is important toeducation at elementary and junior high schools
in the hinterland. It is hoped that it will bemade possible for children to play freely onbeaches with pine trees by restoring andmaintaining the beaches and trees.
The fundamental goal should be to constructa "natural coast" with "beaches and pine trees"
where people can watch the setting sun or enjoy
walking calmly.
・ Wide beaches should be restored
・ Goumi field should be restored.

1) School education

2) Principle of coastal
improvement① Beaches② Pine trees③ Facilities④ Construction
period⑤ Tourism-orienteddevelopment
3)
Directionofimprovem
ent⑥ Environmental
protection⑦ Coordination withthe hinterland⑧ Accesscoastto⑨ Events⑩ Maps4) How to collect opinions

the・ Pine trees should be maintained.
・ Parking places, bus services and guideboards
should be provided.
・The residents understand that the improvementof the Yoriihama coast will take 15 to 20 years.
・ The coast should be designed to be used also
for bathing and tourism, if possible.
・ Garbage treatment and other measures should
be taken in the region for environmental
protection.
・ Improvement work should be carried out
treating the cities in the hinterland and thecoast as a unit.
・ Good access to the coast should be ensured
through the construction of pedestrians' bridges
or other facilities.
・It is hoped that various events will be planned
and implemented.
・ It is hope that a "Yoriihama map" will beprepared.
・ More attention should be paid to the opinionsof y ounger generations and children.
・ Attention should be paid to the opinions ofpeople enjoy ing various hobbies including
fishermen and surfers.
・ Field lectures should be held at elementaryand junior high schools, workshop s sh ould beheld and signature collection and public
relations activities should be revitalized.

※ Methods of collecting opinions A through H correspond to A through H in Table 2.
※ The methods used to obtain specific opinions were marked with a circle.

9Methods of collectingopinions
A B C D E F G H― ― ― ○ ○ ○ ― ―― ○ ○ ― ― ○ ○ ―○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○― ○ ○ ― ― ― ― ○― ― ― ― ― ― ○ ―― ― ○ ― ― ― ― ○― ― ○ ― ― ― ― ―― ― ○ ― ― ― ― ―― ― ○ ― ― ― ○ ―― ○ ○ ― ― ― ○ ―― ― ― ― ― ○ ― ―― ― ― ― ― ○ ― ―― ― ○ ― ○ ○ ― ○― ― ○ ― ― ― ― ―― ― ― ― ○ ― ○ ○